By the time Mike McLafferty, Gavin McCarney and Mike Naples were ready to work out Wednesday, a horde of high school students began rolling out of Somerville High School in search for a place to eat their lunch in the sun.

About 20, nestled in small packs of four and five, chose the other end of the artificial turf field, leaving the three NFL prospects with about 50 yards of space to throw. McCarney, a Jefferson Township grad, is a quarterback who just finished his senior season at Colgate. McLafferty (Monmouth, War Memorial High School) and Naples (Boston College, Somerville High School) are both tight ends.

Together, they represent the majority of NFL hopefuls -- sub-division standouts and under-the-radar prospects who will sit firmly outside the ever-churning conversation surrounding the 2014 NFL Draft. They will travel in packs at a moment’s notice to work out, and may sign with a team that never expressed any interest to fill a need in training camp. They abide, faithfully, by the NFL axiom that keeps everyone grounded around these parts: All it takes is one team.

“I called the athletic director, he said it was no problem,” Naples said about getting the last-minute field space Wednesday. It was the first time he’d met either of the two players he’d be working out with. “They’re always willing to help out.”

The 30-minute throw-and-catch, led by McCarney, a 6-1 dual-threat passer who kept a battery of routes stored on his iPhone, was a tune up. There was a good chance none of the kids orbiting the field knew they were watching potential draftees. In an offseason full of uncertainty, they were less than 24 hours away from their biggest job interview to date.

“All I’m looking for is that one shot, that one chance,” McCarney said.

Thursday morning, they will check in at the Giants practice facility in East Rutherford, three among dozens of prospects invited for the team’s local workout day. For at least four hours, they will do drills, board work and interviews with position coaches and organizational scouts. It starts at 9 a.m., though all three Jersey natives plan on leaving around 7 -- the threat of Coughlin Time and the Garden State Parkway during commuter hours being too great.

Though they spend a good portion of this process in obscurity, these are the dates that serve as the NFL’s great equalizer. More undrafted free agents populate rosters than draftees. Many are discovered here.

“We just need that one situation, that one chance,” McCarney said.

After the workout, and a lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings in Bridgewater, they went back home to prepare. They insisted there would be nerves, like always, but that they wouldn’t be consumed by the moment.

On his spring break, McCarney worked out in front of Oakland Raiders at the same time as Johnny Manziel and Logan Thomas. He stepped up to a blackboard with a fourth-and-short scenario and watched as the instructor drew up an all-out blitz by the defense. McCarney countered with a protection slide, earning a nod of approval.

It’s these moments they live for; an indicator of interest. McCarney worked out for the Colts as well. Naples visited with the Cardinals, Colts and Patriots and McLafferty met with the Dolphins.

They work for the opportunity to pay back their parents, friends and relatives. McLafferty was raised by a single mother, Lori, who remains his biggest cheerleader. Naples was driven to every practice by his late grandfather, Henry, who passed away six months ago and always wanted to see him play in the NFL.

It puts the windy field at lunch time in perspective. It makes the waiting worthwhile.

“It would mean the world to me,” Naples said. “It would mean the world to me for personal reasons, and it would mean the world to me because it would mean the world to everyone around me.”